Putting yourself in Dana White‘s doghouse generally means you can kiss your UFC career goodbye. Or does it?
Not necessarily, according to White’s interview with Michael David Smith of MMAFighting.com. The UFC president spoke about two fighters in particular that have been removed from the UFC roster—Nate Marquardt and Anthony Johnson.
In regards to Johnson, White was adamant that Johnson needed to work on his career before making a return to the UFC.
“He needs to prove to me that he can be a professional, show up on weight and do the things he needs to do. If he does, we can talk.”
White doesn’t seem very sympathetic, given the stories about Johnson’s reported health concerns leading up to him missing weight.
Although White is quick to dismiss a “Return of the Rumble,” he was quick to suggest that Marquardt could find himself in the Octagon soon.
“I don’t dislike Nate,” White said. “I like Nate very much. We’ll see what happens.”
White was furious with Marquardt’s medical issues that lead to him being released. So furious, in fact, that White didn’t bother to let people know via an official press release that Marquardt was handed his walking papers.
I, like many people, were critical of Johnson’s weight issues, but Marquardt has had his fair share of troubles. Between the steroid/PED issues and some dirty fighting at times, Marquardt certainly has a rap sheet in the MMA world.
It certainly seems like White feels it’s more important for fighters to be on weight than to be worried about what they do to their bodies.
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